Name That Blimp

Name the blimp, get to use it for a day.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced plans Monday for a contest to name its newest blimp. The tire maker based in nearby Akron set up a Web site for entries from noon Tuesday through April 30, www.nametheblimp.com. It will announce 10 finalists in May.

The winning name, based on online public voting and a panel of Goodyear representatives, will be announced in June.

The winner gets the use of the blimp for a day. Each of the other finalists will get a set of tires.

For many years, Goodyear named its blimps after winners of the America's Cup yacht race, including Resolute, Reliance, Defender, Vigilant, Volunteer, Mayflower, Puritan, and America.

Goodyear says it's looking for a "creative" name for its newest airship. That float will replace the "Stars and Stripes," which crashed in June during a Florida storm.

During World War II, Goodyear built blimps used by the Navy for surveillance and convoy escorts.